Corn protector shield



Nev. 'l3, 945. 5 p DQNNELLY 2,389,032

- CORN PROTECTOR SHIELD I Fil ed'Feb. 22, 1945 Patented Nov. 13, 1945 UNIT-ED STATES PATENT OFFICE coax racii'zzzfza smELn Frank P. Donnelly, Alderson, Pa.

Application February 22, 1945 Serial No. 579,246 1 claim. (01. 36-85) The present invention relates to ways and means of adapting a shoe to satisfactorily accommodate a com, the embodiment of the invention being such as to not only relieve painful pressure of the shoe against the corn, but to render the shoe substantially waterproof and to, at the same time, provide a stall-like shield.

Needless to say, I am aware that it is more or less common practice for corn sufferers to cut a hole in the shoe to surround the corn and to thus permit it to protrude into or through said hole. Then, too, makeshift patches are sometimes employed to close the hole. However, and at best, such methods of pain relief and special adaptations for tight shoe wearers have been found wanting, and are therefore generally considered as unsatisfactory.

In carrying out the principles of the present invention,I retain the, idea of cutting away that portion of the shoe leather which is the offender, but do so by utilizing a substantially circular opening. But what is more important, I have provided a simple and economical cap-like shield to be made and sold as such in different sizes and to be employed as an insert to fit into the hole and to thereafter substantially seal the hole,

- while, at the same time, functioning as a protective shield.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing,'wherein like numerals areemployed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional protective shield constructed in accordance with the principles of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view which serves to bring out the construction and arrangement of parts more clearly.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shield by itself, this being the essence of the invention.

Reference being had now to Figure 3, it will be seen that the protector-shield is denoted, as a unit, by the numeral 5. As stated, it is of general cap-like form and hollow, as shown; It includes a bulbous body portion 6, closed at its outer end, and a bell-like annular' flange I at its inner open end. This shield, in practice, may be made from a combination of rubber, fabric and leather, or for that matter, from a suitable plastic material. It is intended to sell the shields in difierent sizes in order to accommodate the particular requirements of the purchaser. Then, too, the shield will be appropriately colored so as to more or less match the leather of the shoe withwhichitistobeused. 'l'helenzthofthe dome-like body portion will vary according to requirements. Generally, it will be of mushroom shape, as better brought out in Figures 1 and 2.

In practice, and as is evident from the drawing, the shoe is indicated at A and is conventional. A hole B of suiilcient size is cut in the leather of the shoe to remove that portion of the leather which otherwise would exert distressing pressure against the corn. Of course, the opening is cut at the region opposite the corn to properly accommodate the same. Then the insert or shield 5 is fitted in place. That is to say, the marginal flange I is glued or otherwise fastened around the perimeter of'the hole, the elas-' trudes and thus defines a pocket-like shield for the corn. Generally, a protector shield should be selected which will aflord ample space and room for the corn and to avoid, as much as .possible, contact of the shield with the corn. Then, too, the shield will be sufiiciently roomy, as it were, to function somewhat like 'a finger stall. That is to say, the crown portion becomes a cushion and thus affords the desired buffer properties so that in case the corn strikes objects, through inadvertence, the shock will be absorbed by the shield.

As before stated, I am primarily interested in a flanged, hollow shield of proper material and proportions and shape, this to be sold as an article of manufacture ready for installation by the wearer of the shoe. Thus, the purchaser can make his own selection and do his own repair work and have, at the same time, a substantially waterproof shoe with proper com-protecting facilities.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in coniuction with. the invention as illustrated in the drawing will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in shield being provided at its inner end with means for anchorage and attachment to the shoe around the marginal perimeter of said opening.-

v FRANK P. DONNEILY. 

